Ghanaian Truck Drivers’ Association Of Georgia Inaugurated

The Ghanaian Truck Drivers’ Association of Georgia (GTDAG) was officially inaugurated on Saturday September 16, 2017 at Duluth, a suburb of Atlanta. The auditorium of the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott was packed to capacity by chiefs, representatives of the Ghana Council of Georgia, truck drivers and their families and a cross section of Ghanaians in Georgia.

The chairman for the occasion was Dr. Ali Yallah, Chief Information Officer of River Edge Behavioral Health, a State of Georgia government entity situated in Macon, Georgia. Dr. Yallah is also the executive secretary of the Ghana Council of Georgia as well as the executive president of the Association of Northern Ghanaians of Georgia. Dr. Yallah said he was truly honored to be invited to chair the occasion.

“Truck drivers, like teachers, play a vital role in ourlives. We should thank a truck driver for the food we have on our plates because without them, the foods will not come to us from the farms” Dr. Yallah said. He commended the truck drivers for coming together to form this association and urged all present to give them all the support and encouragement they need in order to be successful.

In his inaugural address, the president of GTDAG, AlhajiMusahAbdulai said the association was formed three years ago in 2014, among other objectives to seek to the welfare and wellbeing of its members and so far it has made tremendous strides in that regard. Alhaji Musah revealed that the association is intending to acquire a big parcel of land to be used for member’s truck parking after work and also to establish their own driving school to train prospective members.

According to Alhaji Musah, the association is considering to partner with the Ghana National Road Safety and the MTTU in the near future regarding road safety programs to educate motorists, especially truck drivers, on their annual physicals, pre-trip and post-trip inspections, driver fatigue and other important road safety regulations.

He promised that the association shall also provide some blood pressure (BP) equipment to truck drivers in Ghana as part of their social responsibility. Alhaji Musah concluded by urging members to remain resolute to the association and encourage all Ghanaian truck drivers in Georgia to join the association.

The guest speaker of the ceremony was Mr. Ernest Asare-Nkansah, a tax accountant by profession and accounting instructor at Georgia State University. Mr. Nkansah has been supportive to the association since its formation and played a major role in its setup and registration. Mr. Nkansah congratulated the GTDAG and said he was glad to be part of the historic inauguration.

He noted that the trucking industry is highly regulated and advised members of the association to take record keeping seriously. Other speakers for the evening were Pastor Mina Aduwho prayed for divine guidance for the truck drivers as they embark on their long road trips. Dr. Nicholas Fosu, a pharmacist, shared helpful health tips with those gathered.

In her vote of thanks, Ms. Vicentia, a Nurse Practictioner, thanked all those who attended the function. She particularly thanked Daddy Kay, the MC for the night as well as a key member of the organizing committee. It was certainly a successful and fun filled evening.